The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-10-26
THE HAM M ERSMITH MYS-
Terry.
lLondon TRUTH

MT. Martln otuckey mad been prosper
Gus colonial merchant in his day, but at the
age Of fifty-fve he encountered succession
OF misfortunes which ultimately landed him
In the Bankruptcy Court When that crisis
was past he went to live in small house at
Hammersmith with his wife, his younger
son, Ephraim. and one servant Not long
after his wife died, and this last blow re-
duced the old man to complete wreck. He
became childish, and lost his memory so
completely that he had no recollection of
ordinary events from day to day, which was,
perhaps, merciful dispensation of Provi-
dence after all.
Ephraim Stuckey was now the master Of
the house, though the house itself belonged
to the father, having been purchased with
some money Of Mrs. Stuckey's. Ephraim
was stock-broker in a small way of bust
ness, which might have been larger if Ephra-
I'm himself had been fonder of work, and had
combined little more greedness for the
commissions of clients with little less faith
In grand speculative coupS on his own ac-
count. He was addicted to grumbling at the
hardships of his lot, and more particularly
at the burden of keeping the ''old man." as
he called his father. This, however, was as
unreasonable as it was undutiful, for not
only was Ephraim living rent-free in his
fathers house, but old Mr. Stuckey's main-
tenance was fully provided for by the elder
son, Alfred. Alfred, In his fathers palmy
days, had been put into the Church. He
was now curate in Midland County par
ish on princely stipend of goo year, out
Of which he contributed ESQ year to his
fathers support-quite enough to leave
margin Of profit for Ephraim If anyone,
therefore, had reason to grumble at the pro-
longation of the fathers life 1t was Alfred
1t must be mentioned, however, that there
was one small expectation for both the sons
upon their fathers death. Martin Stuckey's
life had been insured in better days for
$4,000, and the premiums upon the policy
had been kept up by the joint contributions
Of the two young men. But Mr.. Stuckey
showed no likelihood of enabling his sons to
realize this investment. Since the break
down of his mind his bodily health I'D
much improved, as not unfrequently hap
pens In such cases, and his mental incapac-
ity was not Of kind to cause anxiety.
There had been at one time question be-
tween the brothers about providing him
with an attendant, but Ephraim was opposed
to unnecessary expense, and pointed out
that the old gentleman never left the house
unless by invitation, and that, while within
doors, he was perfectly under the control of
those about him, including even the one
maid-servant Of the establishment trust
worthy young woman, who had been with
the family for some years. The truth was
that the old gentleman was so submissive
that, If so ordered, he would remain in one
room for hours together, and, under these
circumstances, it really seemed that Ephraim
and the maid were quite capable Of looking
after him. This idea, however, turned out
to be erroneous.
The Rev. Alfred Stuckey did not often
visit London, but when he did so he always
endeavored to spend a day with his father.
On such occasions ne would generally take
the old gentleman out with him for the day,
processing to think that he was too much
confined to the house. One day, about the
middle of October, Ephraim Stuckey in
formed the maid-servant that his brother
was coming to town, and added that, if AL
fred should take his father out, as he some
times did. she had better take days holt
day.
In due course the Rev. Alfred arrived. and
after spending night at the house, he said
that he would take his father by steamboat
to Richmond for the day. The maid was ac-
cerdingly informed that she could have her
promised holiday. Then, however, a diff
Guilty arose. The girl wished to 60 some dis
lance, and could not be back before eight
o'clock In the evening. Alfred, on the other
hand, had no intention of keeping his father
out till that hour, and besides this, he had to
return that night to his parish, for which
purpose he must leave ST. Pancras Station at
about seven o'clock. Who then was to take
charge of old Mr.. Stuckey in the interval?
Il dare say can get home" said Ephraim.
What time will you return?'
THAT depends on father. Not later than
five O'Clock In any case. AS / have to be at
ST. Pancras by seven. shall leave here be-
fore $3.50"
Il think can manage to be back by that
time," said Ephraim, land there is no harm
In leaving the governor for half-an-hour by
himself. Ii am not here when you return
put him into that armchair, give him his
pipe, and tell him In your most impressive
voice that he Is not to stir on any account till
come in"
Are you sure that he will be all right?"
Perfectly. He would not move If the
house were on fire."
With this understanding the parties sep
arated.
1t was between $50 and 9P. NJ on the
same day when Mr.. Ephraim Stuckey pre-
sented himself at Hammersmith Police Sta
tion and asked for assistance. He made at
the same time a statement from which, in
addition to the above facts, it appeared that
In consequence of business Unexpectedly de-
tanning him in town, he had not reached
home until close upon seven o'clock He
then found no trace Of his father or of his
brother, and, after waiting for the return of
the servant and making inquiries about the
neighborhood, helhad come to the conclusion
that on being left alone his father had, for
the first time on record, taken 1t into his
head to go out by himself, and had either
lost himself or met with some worse mis-
chance.
Subsequent events codfrmed the latter
theory. The Rev. Alfred Stuckey, ON being
communicated with by telegram next day,
replied that he had left his father at home
In his chair at 515 on the previous evening.
On the same day Mr. Stuckey's hat was
found in the osier-beds at Chiswick. A day
or two later walking stick, which had GER
tainly belonged to him was picked up in the
river at Chelsea. The police continued the
hue and cry with undated vigor, but after
these discoveries only one theory of the old
gentleman's disappearance seemed tenable.
There was no motive to suggest his having
met with foul play. He had neither the
means nor the strength to have travelled to
any distance. The conclusion seemed inevi-
table that he had strayed out for some pur-
pose-perhaps for no other reason than that
his days outing had unduly excited him
and had somehow fallen into the river. 1t
was considerable time, however, before the
discovery Of the body put the old mans fate
beyond question. During the interval Ephra-
i'm Stuckey was more than once summoned
to different points between Kew Bridge and
Gravesend for the purpose of inspecting the
CHASTITY human tiotsam and jetsam Of the
river, but without result. Four weeks had
nearly elapsed when he received information
Al.nAA H.. 80 IL l.